How to make your home, your sanctuary

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When you close your front door, you want to make sure your home is a sanctuary that helps you to relax and get away from the stresses of the day.

We have had a look at some changes you can make, to bring a little calm to your life.

Clear away the clutter
Clutter not only attracts dust, which can irritate allergies, but it plays on your mind as it is a constant reminder of what you need to do, fix or finish. Piles of ‘stuff’ won’t help create calm, so have a declutter. Whether you go room by room, or person by person, find a system that works for you and either find a home for items, give them away or recycle them, but don’t hold onto what you don’t need, or want, anymore.

What colours work for you?
Don’t underestimate the power of colour in your home as this can help create a haven. Maybe you love cool, calm Scandi grey tones, warm earth-based pigments are the preference for some people while others love to bask in bright colours that make them feel happy. Get some samples from your local DIY shop and add stripes of colour to one wall, and you will see how different shades could work in your home and give it a whole new feel.

Bring the outside, inside
There is nothing quite like a little greenery in your home to make it feel serene. Bringing the elements into your home puts you in touch with nature and adds a little more colour and vibrancy. Whether you have potted plants and ferns, herbs growing in the kitchen, or flowers in vases, having them in your home can help change the feeling of that space. If you are short on outside areas, why not plant up a window box with lavender and hyacinth which will offer sweet scents during spring and summer as well as a splash of colour.

Think about the walls
Do you go for paint or wallpaper? Are you big on mirrors? Paintings and photographs – do you have lots of them hidden away? Work out whether you want a minimalist look, or is it a busier background you are going for? Think about what makes you happy and create a canvas you love.

What’s that smell?
Scents can really help shift our mood – just think about how you feel when you walk into a spa. Adding natural fragrances with flowers, herbs, and essential oils are a great way to bring a sense of serenity to your home and make it feel like a sanctuary. Try using naturally scented candles, but keep an eye on them, and diffusers are a fantastic way to ensure your home smells lovely and welcoming.

Think about your bathroom
Far from being a place to simply wash and go, your bathroom really can be a place where you can relax and leave the world behind. Go for pale walls and tiles and accessorise with pretty pots and curtains, as well as matching towels. Have a box for children’s toys and mats, so that when you want to relax in the bath, Barbie and SpongeBob don’t spoil the moment. Candles add a soft, glow and playing music can really set the tone and don’t forget to add bubbles.

Play around with some ideas and we think you will find something that is perfect just for you.

Team Pure Beauty

How to winter proof your wardrobe

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a soft knit, ASOS, automobiles, ballet pumps, black, budget, camel, chill, chunky kint, coldest day, colours, cosy scarf, current fashions, cute, dresses, faux fur, flares, frost bite, heels, Hunter, indigo, insulation, investing, leggings, Long and short sleeved t-shirts, Long sleeves, meal, midi styles, moon boots, Mother Nature, navy, on trend, osiest clothes, Parker, planes, pompoms, pretty cardigan, puffa, quirky options, rips, roll neck, shirts, silk blouse, skinnies, snow boots, soft, statement coat, stretchy fabrics, sweatshirt, thick blanket style scarf, thicker materials, tights, toasty, toes, top end, trainers, trains, Uggs, UK, wardrobe, warm, weekend, wellies, white stuff, wind, winter, winter saviours, woollen, wow factor, wrap up

The UK saw its coldest temperatures of the winter last week, and don’t we know it. As well as the white stuff causing chaos for planes, trains and automobiles almost everywhere, it also made us dig out our cosiest clothes in an attempt to keep warm and stave off the frost bite.

Yes, as a nation we do love to make a meal out of the weather, but with a good couple of months until spring rears its pretty head, we would say its time to get with the programme and make sure your wardrobe can deal with all that Mother Nature might throw at you.

Bring on the boots
Sorry to break it to you, but ballet pumps and heels will not help you get through the snow, this is where moon boots and wellies come in. There are some really funky options out there from the likes of Hunter, and ASOS is jam-packed with cute, quirky options that will ensure you look totally on trend and your toes stay toasty.

Dress it up
Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear dresses. A dress is a must-have for colder days and the trick is to go for thicker materials, midi styles, long sleeves and a high neck. Match dresses with boots and a roll neck for the office, and to make this look work for the weekend, a soft knit and trainers tick all the boxes.

Get the right jeans
Winter isn’t the time for flares or rips if you want to keep warm, so we suggest going for skinnies. Wear them casually with a sweatshirt and trainers, go for a silk blouse and heels for a night out, and you tuck them into snow boots and still look great. We would suggest going for black or indigo and if it is really cold, put a pair of leggings or tights on underneath for extra insulation.

Cool coats
Now when we say this we mean a coat that is going to keep you warm but look on trend. There is the puffa and parker, but while these totally work with skinnies and Uggs at the weekend, they don’t have the wow factor for work. We would suggest investing in a statement coat in navy, camel or black, one that is tailored, and go for the top end of your budget if you want it to last.

Basic t-shirts
Long and short-sleeved t-shirts might not be the most exciting items, but they will be your winter saviours when it comes to keeping warm. You can put a chunky kint over the top, layer with a pretty cardigan and they work well with shirts and dresses too. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but go for soft, stretchy fabrics that feel good against your skin, and once you have found the perfect fit, buy it in a range of colours.

Wrap up in a scarf
A cosy scarf won’t only keep your warm when the wind is biting, but it will look good too. Whether you opt for a thick blanket style scarf, a woollen one with pompoms, or glam up with faux fur, you won’t catch a chill when you are out and about, but you will show you are up to date with current fashions. Oh, you might want to buy a hat and gloves too.

Team Pure Beauty

Give your walls a spring clean

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air of grandeur, animals, antique shops, art, beautiful, bedroom, books, boring, car boot sales, choices, cold, colours, cool, cost effective solutions, cosy, daffodils, design, easy, families, food for thought, frame prints, hallway, hand-blocked papers, home, horizontal stripes, illusion, individual, instant, instantly transform, kitchen, light and dimension, light-reflecting metallic paper, lights, living room, local artist, magazines, mirrors, patterns, Peel-off stickers, pictures, playrooms and kids’ bedrooms, pure natural woven fibres, retro feel, simple, social media, sources of inspiration, spring clean, statement, stunning pieces, stylish home, three-dimensional design, transform, uber-cool, unique feel, walls, weekend supplements, world of interiors, wrapping paper

As the days get longer, the temperatures start to rise and the daffodils show their sunny heads, many of us want to make changes to our homes so they feel lighter and brighter.

Decorating an entire house can be a big job, but by making changes to the walls in your kitchen, living room, bedroom or hallway can have a real impact and create the illusion of complete change.

The way you design your walls can transform cold into cosy, boring into beautiful and take old-fashioned into uber-cool in an instant and we have had a look at how.

Ideas and planning
Before you do anything have a think about the kind of finish you are looking for, what colours and patterns you like as well as how practical your choices are. Social media sites, magazines, weekend supplements and even moving websites can be great sources of inspiration, so use them to work out what would feel best in your home.

Stick it
Peel-off stickers come in a wide range of designs and sizes and instantly transform a wall from a boring background into a world of animals, a space age galaxy or a tranquil garden.

Statements Walls
Broad horizontal stripes or a single wall painted in a bright primary colour can be perfect for playrooms and kids’ bedrooms and give that room a really cool, individual feel.

Map it out
Maps – old and new – not only add a splash of style but they are educational too. You can quite simply paste pages from books, wrapping paper or pictures enlarged on a photocopier, onto a wall and create something totally unique.

Wallpaper
Wallpaper is on trend in the world of interiors right now so there is a lot of choice to decide from. From pure natural woven fibres and light-reflecting metallic paper to hand-blocked papers, three-dimensional designs and digitally printed styles it is hard to know where to start, and sometimes where to stop. Do be aware that wallpaper doesn’t always withstand wear and tear like paint, so be careful where you use it. Vinyl is durable and easy to put up and you can even get washable wallpapers that are wipeable and perfect for families who want a stylish home.stylish home

Mirrors
There are some really beautiful mirrors in the shops but you can also find stunning pieces in antique shops and car boot sales that give a retro feel. Go for a large mirror with a striking framed you will not only add light and dimension to any room but also to add an air of grandeur.

Go for art
Whether you buy from for a local artist, frame prints from the masters or use you kid’s doodles art is a brilliant way to bring your walls to life.

Light it up
Washing walls with light keeps edges bright but also offers a warm glow that lifts an entire room. A picture light not only brighten up a dark space but is a focal point while table lamps spread light across a walls and you will be surprised at the effect under cabinet lighting creates on a kitchen or living room wall.

Prepping your walls
Once you have decided what you are going to do with your walls, you need to make sure they are as clean and smooth as possible.

For a decent base peel away bulging, loose or crumbling plaster, strip off wallpaper and fill in cracks and holes; sanding down the area when it’s dry. Once your walls are ready, prime them using watered-down emulsion and if you are going to be putting up new wallpaper, coat the walls with a sizing solution or watered-down wallpaper paste for a really professional base, then get to work.

Whether you are going for big, bold statements, want to add some warmth or simply need to cover up those sticky finger prints, we hope we have given you food for thought for change.

Team Pure Beauty

Find the perfect jeans for you

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ankle, authentic denim look, bagging, black, blue, body shape, bold separates, bootcut, botfriend, bright white trainers, chic, colours, comfortable, confident, denim, distressed, effortlessly polished, everyday ease, fitted jacket, fitted shirt, friend, grey, high-stretch fabric, High-waisted styles, indigo, issue, jeans, Jeggings, knee high boots, lift and sculpt, Loafers, masculine edge, modern, oversized sweatshirt, perfect pair of jeans, pull-on waistband, quality brand, research, ripped, skinny jeans, sleek, slim legs, slogan tee, soft sweater, spring, statement belt, statement sleeves, Straight Leg Jeans, style, styles, timeless option, touch of glamour, trainers, tunic top, versatile colour options, wardrobe staple, weekend look, white shirt, winning look, work

Ever looked at a friend and wondered how they always look great in jeans?

Well, we are pretty sure it’s because they have tried on a variety of styles and colours and have jeans that not only work with their body shape but are comfortable and make them feel confident.

From jeggings to skinnies, to bootcut and everything in-between, and we have done our denim research and hope it will allow you to find the perfect pair of jeans this spring.

Slim Leg Jeans
If you are looking for everyday ease, this timeless option is for you. Team slim leg jeans with a smart top and fitted jacket for work and a match with a long-sleeved t-shirt and fancy flats to create an effortlessly polished weekend look.

Bootcut Designs
You might think this style isn’t ‘in’ but it’s actually a really versatile option that is sleek and modern. Flattering for all bodies shapes, the bootcut jeans are great worn with heels or boots as they lengthen your legs and instantly slim your figure. Go for a dark denim option and try a number of brands to get the best fit for you.

Jeggings
When it comes to being comfy, things don’t get better than jeggings. The combo of pull-on waistband and high-stretch fabric means jeggings hug your body and if you go for a quality brand, bagging isn’t an issue. While you might not get away with jeggings in the office, they are perfect when worn with a tunic top or an oversized sweatshirt and bright white trainers, you are onto a winning look.

Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans are a wardrobe staple that aren’t going anywhere, so get involved. High-waisted styles offer a flattering fit and give the illusion of long legs, whatever your shape. Blue, black and grey are all versatile colour options and matched with statement sleeves or bold separates, you can look chic from morning to night. Loafers give you a masculine edge, heels create leg length and knee high boots add a touch of glamour.

Super Skinny Jeans
One step on from skinny jeans, these beauties are offer maximum style with minimum effort. A sharp, white shirt, pair of flat ballet pumps and a red lipstick are all you need to make this a statement look.

Straight Leg Jeans
Cut slim and straight from the hip to the ankle, straight leg jeans offer a really authentic denim look. The sleek lines are forgiving and a high-rise fit that lifts and sculpts your bottom, you will look and feel fab. Wearing a soft sweater over a fitted shirt and adding block heel boots is simple but effective.

Boyfriend Jeans
For cool chic, look at boyfriend jeans. Whether they’re indigo, distressed, ripped or low slung, the baggy boyfriend style offers a modern twist on classic denim. Pair with a slogan tee, statement belt and trainers and you have the ultimate combination of chic style and fashion comfort.

In summary, straight-leg and skinny jeans are really flattering styles and a great place to start when it comes to denim, but why not be brave and try something new this year?

Team Beauty

Laundry hacks you’ll love

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bacon, bedding, bicarbonate of soda, bright whites, bring to the boil, chalk, change your bed, cheaper, chemical stain removers, chores, clean, colour, colour coded baskets, colours, cupboard, dry outside, drying, effort, extra spin, fabric conditioner, faster, feeling, flash, fluffy towels, glowing results, grass, heat, jeans, laundry, lavender, lemons, lipstick, looking, low temperature wash, money, musty smells, nasty smells, new, pristine condition, quick wash setting, ready to use, refresh, savvy shortcuts, shape, slice, soak, soft, soft and absorbent, spin, Stain free, sunlight, tennis balls, time, tin foil, Towel fresh, trick, tricky, utility bills, white vinegar, whites

We are always looking for ways to do chores better, faster, smarter and cheaper and when it comes to laundry, every little trick helps.

We have some savvy shortcuts to share that we hope will keep nasty smells away and save you time, money and effort.

Colour coded baskets
Yes, we know this sounds a bit OTT but it works. Buy three laundry baskets and colour-code them as whites, colours and darks. On wash-day, simply empty one basket into the machine and press go leaving you free of stinky sorting.

Stain free
Go easy on chemical stain removers, and trying rubbing a little chalk into stains before you put your clothes in the wash and everything from lipstick, grass and bacon will be gone.

Bright whites
To get your whites bright once again, slice several lemons, put them into a pot of water and bring to the boil. Turn the heat off, add your clothes and let them soak for an hour before washing as usual. To get glowing results, let them dry outside in the sunlight.

Make it quick
If your laundry is pretty much stain free, go for a quick wash setting which will clean and refresh but won’t take forever or add to your utility bills.

Inside out jeans
Washing and drying is tough on denim and washing can see colour and shape being lost. To keep your jeans looking and feeling new, turn them inside out before they go into the machine and leave them like this as they dry.

Towel fresh
We all love soft, fluffy towels but keeping them in pristine condition can be tricky. Forget
fabric conditioner and instead add a cup of white vinegar to your wash load and as well as bringing towels back to life and keeping them soft and absorbent, the vinegar will also help keep musty smells away.

Go for a spin
If you want to aid the drying time of your washing, go for an extra spin during the washing cycle. Adding just ten minutes to a wash will actually cut down drying time later.

Keep your machine clean
From time to time it is worth cleaning your washing machine if you want to keep it in good working order. To do this, simply add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the machine drawer with half a cup of white vinegar and put it on a quick, low temperature wash.

Tumble faster
If you want to speed up drying time, and bring down costs, add a couple of clean tennis balls, dry towel or scrunched up balls of foil in with your clothes and the job will be done in flash.

Bed bundles
Once your bedding has been laundered, rather than simply stuffing back in the cupboard, why not make life easy and pack it into ready to use bundles? Put a clean folded fitted sheet, duvet cover and pillowcase in a pile, then carefully place this into one of the pillowcases and next time you change your bed, everything will be there ready and waiting for you. Add a little lavender and it will smell good too.

Got a tip that works for you? Get in touch, we would love to know what it is.

Team Pure Beauty